“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that, Tug. He’s not whipped, he’s considerate, and I think it’s sweet.”
It’s Harrison, so of course it’s sweet. Add that to this list of perfect Harrison qualities. I exaggerate a gagging face and laugh. “If you say so,” I shoot back. Maybe it’s best that Tori and I didn’t work out. I’d never want to be so pathetic.
“Ignore him, Harrison,” she says, clearly annoyed with me. It’s her typical reaction to most of what comes out of my mouth these days.
Fuck off! I shout in my head.
Liv walks into the room. All eyes are on her as she heads to the refrigerator. She stops with her hand on the handle, and then turns around.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
None of us answer. After a few seconds of silence, I finally say, “Harrison has something he wants to ask you.”
“Real mature!” Tori admonishes me.
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a little kid. Give me a break!”
Tori huffs and rolls her eyes. Liv turns toward Harrison, who looks as though he is about to piss himself.
“So, what’s up?”
Harrison silently begs Tori and me for rescue, but we both turn our heads.
“Tug and I were thinking of having the bachelor party at a strip club in town, and …”
“No way!” She smacks the counter, glaring at him. “Not happening. Those places are disgusting.”
I laugh. “When did you become all high and moral, sis?”
Liv sends me a murderous look. It’s the one I always get when she thinks I’ve said something stupid. “Fuck off, Tug!”
“Tori’s cool with it,” I say, knowing it will influence her.
“Yeah, it’s fine, Liv,” Tori adds.
It’s the first time in months Tori and I have agreed on anything.
“What?” Liv shrieks. “How can you agree to this? You do know what goes on in those places, right?”
“Yes. Not all that attractive and totally naked girls prancing around on stage for money. I trust Brady. It’s not a big deal.”
Liv casts an accusatory look at me and Harrison. “Neither of you told her, did you?”
It isn’t my place to share. Tori is a grown-up, as she’s reiterated about a hundred times over the last year.
“What?” Tori asks Liv.
“We’re in Mexico, Tor. You can pay for sex in those places.”
“Oh,” Tori says, and then her face squishes up into that expression she makes when she is grossed out, the one I find adorable.
“We aren’t going to pay for sex,” I say, although it might be a tiny lie. Some of the guys attending might. “We’re going to drink, check out a few tatas, and be home before midnight.”
Tori and Liv exchange glances before Liv asks her, “Are you still okay with it?”
“Yes, actually, I am. I trust Brady.”
Liv squints her eyes as she contemplates what Tori just said. The look she gives Harrison tells me she doesn’t trust him nearly as much.